Times Square is exhausting. It's a neon-soaked, chaotic fever dream that most New Yorkers avoid like the plague, yet millions of travelers find themselves right in the thick of it every single year. If you're going to stay in the center of the madness, you basically have two choices: go cheap and miserable, or find a spot that actually feels like a sanctuary. That’s where the Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel comes in. It sits at 714 Seventh Avenue, perched right above the fray, and honestly, it’s one of the few spots in Midtown that doesn't feel like a corporate soulless box.
But let's be real for a second.
New York hotels are notorious for tiny rooms and "city views" that are just a brick wall three inches from your window. When you book a place like the Renaissance, you’re paying for the vantage point. You're paying for the ability to look down at the R Lounge and watch the sea of people while sipping a cocktail, feeling completely disconnected from the noise. It’s a weirdly specific kind of luxury.
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The Reality of Staying at the Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel
You walk in. The street level is just a standard Broadway entrance, but the magic happens when the elevator hits the lobby level. The Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel was one of the first "boutique" feeling pivots Marriott made years ago, and while it’s seen some updates, it still carries that moody, sophisticated vibe. It’s dark. It’s gold. It’s blue. It feels like a jazz club that happens to have 317 guest rooms attached to it.
The rooms were renovated a few years back, designed by Jordan Mozer and Associates. They didn’t go for that generic beige "Marriott Standard" look. Instead, you get these hardwood floors—which are a godsend compared to gross hotel carpets—and blue glass accents that make the space feel bigger than it actually is. Because, let’s be honest: these are still Manhattan rooms. You aren't getting a sprawling estate. You're getting a smartly designed cabin in the sky.
If you end up in a Terrace Room, you’ve hit the jackpot. Most people don't realize that a handful of rooms here have actual outdoor space overlooking Seventh Avenue. It is, quite frankly, the best place in the city to watch the Ball Drop on New Year's Eve without being shoved into a security pen for 12 hours with no bathroom access.
Why the Location is a Double-Edged Sword
Look, if you hate crowds, why are you staying in Times Square? But if you're here for Broadway, the Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel is basically unbeatable. You can literally walk out the door and be at the Palace Theatre or the Lunt-Fontanne in three minutes. You’re right there.
However, the "New York experience" here is loud. The hotel has some of the best soundproofing I’ve encountered in Midtown, but 42nd Street is a beast that never sleeps. You will hear the distant hum of sirens. You might hear the bass of a modified car at 2 AM. That’s the trade-off. You stay here for the energy, not for a silent retreat in the Catskills.
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The R Lounge: The Secret Weapon
The R Lounge is the crown jewel of the Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel. It’s not just a hotel bar; it’s a panoramic viewpoint. The floor-to-ceiling windows wrap around the building, giving you a straight-shot view of the TKTS red steps.
I’ve seen people spend $50 on a tourist trap observation deck ticket just to get a photo that isn't half as good as the one you get from the R Lounge with a $22 martini in your hand.
- The "Gold Standard" cocktail is a local favorite.
- They do "Evenings at Renaissance," which are basically curated pop-up events.
- Sometimes it’s a local musician.
- Other times it’s a mixologist showing off.
- It’s designed to make you feel like you aren't in a chain hotel.
Most Marriott Bonvoy members flock here because the service is actually personal. You’ve probably stayed at the Marriott Marquis across the street—that place is a factory. It’s huge. It’s impersonal. The Renaissance is the opposite. The "Navigators" (their version of a concierge) actually know the neighborhood. They aren't just pointing you to the Olive Garden; they’re telling you to go to Joe’s Pizza on 7th or a hidden speakeasy in Hell's Kitchen.
Addressing the "Boutique" Label
Is it actually a boutique hotel? Technically, no. It’s a Marriott. You get your points, you get your mobile check-in, and you get the reliability of a global brand. But the Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel tries very hard to mask its corporate DNA.
The design is intentional. The lighting is theatrical. Even the elevators have a specific "mood" to them. It’s a great middle-ground for someone who wants the safety of a big brand but the aesthetic of an independent hotel.
One thing that surprises people is the lack of a traditional "Executive Lounge" for Platinum and Titanium members. Instead, they usually offer breakfast credits or specific perks in the restaurant. Some people hate this. They want their free sodas and snacks in a private room. Personally? I’d rather have a high-quality breakfast in a room with a view of Broadway than a stale bagel in a windowless lounge on the 4th floor.
The Math: Is it Worth the Points?
New York City hotels fluctuate wildly. During the United Nations General Assembly or New Year's, prices at the Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel can climb to $800 or $1,000 a night. That’s insane. Don't pay that unless you have a corporate expense account or a very specific bucket-list reason.
Usually, you can find rooms in the $350 to $450 range. For a 4-star property in this specific location, that’s actually "fair" for Manhattan. If you’re using Bonvoy points, look for those sweet-spot nights where the point valuation stays under 60,000.
What Most Travelers Get Wrong
People often confuse this property with the Renaissance New York Chelsea or the Renaissance New York Midtown (on 35th St). They are very different.
The 35th Street location is newer and has a retractable roof bar (Versa), but it feels more like a business hotel. The Chelsea location is trendy and has a floral, botanical vibe. But the Times Square Renaissance—this one—is the OG. It’s the one with the legacy view. If you book the wrong one and show up at 714 7th Ave, you’re going to have a long walk ahead of you.
Another misconception: "I’ll just eat at the hotel to save time."
Honestly? Don't. The R Lounge is great for drinks and light bites, but you are in the food capital of the world. Walk three blocks west to 9th Avenue. That’s where the locals eat. You’ll find incredible Thai at Pure Thai Cookhouse or insane Italian at Becco. Using your stay at the Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel as a base camp to explore Hell’s Kitchen is a much better move than eating a $30 club sandwich in your room.
The "Navigator" Factor
Renaissance hotels pride themselves on their "Navigators." These aren't just people behind a desk. They are supposedly vetted locals who know the "un-touristy" stuff.
In a place like Times Square, this is actually valuable. It’s so easy to fall into a tourist trap here. If you ask the Navigator where to get a decent coffee that isn't Starbucks, they’ll send you to a local shop like Culture Espresso. That little bit of localized knowledge helps take the edge off the "Disney-fied" feeling of Midtown.
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A Few Practical Realities
- The Gym: It’s fine. It’s in the basement. It’s got LifeFitness equipment. It’s clean. But let’s be real, you’re going to get your cardio walking 15,000 steps around the city anyway.
- The Elevators: They can be slow during peak checkout times. Give yourself an extra 10 minutes if you have a train to catch at Penn Station.
- The Wi-Fi: Generally solid, which is a must if you're here on business. Marriott’s "enhanced" Wi-Fi for members is fast enough for 4K streaming.
Final Thoughts on the Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel
If you want the quintessential New York experience—the one you see in the movies with the lights and the yellow cabs and the "Center of the Universe" energy—this is the hotel. It’s more sophisticated than the Moxy, less "stuffy" than the Knickerbocker, and way more manageable than the Marriott Marquis.
It’s a specific vibe for a specific traveler. You’re choosing to be in the middle of the noise, but you’re choosing a place that knows how to keep the noise at bay when you finally close your door at 1 AM.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Stay
- Request a High Floor: Anything above the 15th floor significantly reduces street noise and improves your view of the skyline.
- Check the Broadway Schedule: If you’re staying here, you’re likely seeing a show. Check Playbill.com for "dark days" (usually Mondays) when tickets might be cheaper or the area slightly less congested.
- Use the R Lounge at Sunset: Even if you aren't staying at the hotel, the bar is open to the public. It’s one of the best "free" views (minus the cost of a drink) in the city.
- Skip the Hotel Breakfast: Walk to a nearby bodega or a spot like Junior's (if you must do the tourist thing) for a more "authentic" NYC morning.
- Join Marriott Bonvoy: Even the lowest tier can get you a later checkout, which is massive when you're trying to squeeze in one last museum visit before a 4 PM flight out of JFK.
The Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel isn't trying to be a quiet library. It’s an upscale theater box for the greatest show on earth. As long as you know what you’re signing up for—the chaos, the energy, and the price tag—it rarely disappoints.